A Red Comet Legend, Revived
HELLO! We are back!
In today’s 176th edition of our Let’s Talk Gunpla segment, we will FINALLY be talking about some of the NEW RETAIL release announcements! After being quiet for a few weeks, finally, now the retail side has some new HGUC and HGBD: R kits announced for us all and all of this awesomeness is coming in this upcoming July 2020 release window.
Since there is quite a bit that was announced, like always we will split the segment into two, one for the main releases and another for the smaller ones.
So without further ado, let us get into it, shall we?
SD Gundam Cross Silhouette RX-78-2 Gundam & MS-06S Zaku II Char Aznable Custom Set (SDCS)
Release Date: 2020/07
Estimated price: JPY 1,530* (MYR RM 61.93* / USD $ 14.61* / EUR € 12.88*)
*The price is subject to change, depending on the situation
This is something that some of us here already predicted that we would see being released as a set as soon as we saw the release and announcement of the SDCS Char’s Zaku II. We here do think that this particular SDCS set is definitely something that we all here think that is good for those gunpla builders (like us) that haven’t had yet given the SDCS kits a try.
Looking at it, we do feel like this set is going to be the one that would do it for us since there is alot that you get here that would make one want to get it.
So you might be wondering why are we saying that since it looks like they just lump two exisitng SDCS kits together? Oh, eventhough that is technically quite correct, but fortunately enough there is alot that was done here that would make the purchase of this kit worth it even to those that has bought all the earlier version of either the two SDCS kits.
The first thing that we noticed here with this set is the color scheme. Although it is not that obvious on the SDCS Gramps since the only thing that was changed there is the gunport cover on the SDCS Gramps head. However, on the Char’s Zaku the color change that was made there is was quite obvious.
Because instead of using the pinkish-red/pink/black color scheme of the normal variant you get a blood-red/red/black color scheme for this version. Which admittedly does make this version of the SDCS Char Zaku II look really badass.
Another notable change that was made for this set, is that they included in the Black CS frame together with the release. This is something that we here feel would make for a really good motivation for those thinking of getting their first SDCS kit. However, the thing that bothered us here a bit is that we know for a fact that the retail side has been releasing appropriate CS frame colors for some time, we just don’t understand why they couldn’t just give the kits proper colored CS frames to the kits?
Another thing that we do find it quite bothersome here with this SDCS set press releases is that they didn’t make it clear in the press release itself if the CS frame is included for both kits. Because eventhough they did mention that they are including the CS frame in the set, but there is no mention in the press release that they are for both.
Even with that said, we have faith with the retail side that they would include it for both. Why? Well, that is because this is a set that was made to celebrate Gunpla 40th anniversary. So it would be a huge frick up if they just so happen to frick the release up by just giving this set only one CS frame.
and yes we are so getting this set….when it hits out shores this coming July.
HG 1/144 MS-06S Zaku II Char Aznable Custom (HGUC)
Release Date: 2020/07
Estimated price: JPY 1,360* (MYR RM 55.05* / USD $ 12.99* / EUR € 11.45*)
*The price is subject to change, depending on the situation
The SDCS news isn’t the only thing that was announced which had Char Zaku II in it, because we as well have news on the ‘revive’ version of the HGUC Char Zaku II.
Ever since the release of the revive HGUC Gramps, we have been meaning to see Bandai taking on the task of ‘reviving’ the badass Char Zaku II series but after waiting for quite a while and after seeing the Char Zaku II gets the ‘Origins’ treatment (which does make the Char Zaku looked more like a badass RG kit), we thought Bandai prolly is not thinking of ‘reviving’ everyone’s favorite monoeyed MS for the HGUC.
Oh, how we are now finally finding out how wrong we are because now we are finally seeing the Char’s Zaku II getting ‘revived’.
and Revived well it was too because from what we are seeing here, the HGUC Char Zaku II looked really good. Even though it might not be as detailed in terms of looks when compared to the HG Origins Char’s Zaku II but we here do find the simple looks of this version do appeal to us more here.
We as well like that there are some design elements of the MG Zaku II Ver.2.0 added here, which can be seen on the backpack and some parts of the weapons.
Even the gimmicks seen here on the Zaku looked amazing, we like the fact that you actually can pull even more articulation on this kit even when compared to the HG Origins version of the Char Zaku II. Quite frankly we are quite impressed by this kit.
Looking at this does make us want to do a build comparison between the two to compare the two kits side by side.
We are quite excited about the idea of getting this version of the Char Zaku II in this coming July, and we really do hope that it is as good (and fun to build as well) as the HG Origins’s Version of the Red Comets Zaku II.
HG 1/144 Gundam Aegis Knight (HGBD: R)
Release Date: 2020/07
Estimated price: JPY 1,955* (MYR RM 79.14* / USD $ 18.68* / EUR € 16.45*)
*The price is subject to change, depending on the situation
This is probably one of the most interesting announcements that we’ve seen coming from the retail side this year. One of the reasons for that is because of the name that they’ve chosen for the release. The fact that they decided to include in ‘Aegis’ in the name for this HGBD: R kit which does make for a lot of speculation surrounding this particular kit and that particular speculation that has been floating all around after the announcement of this kit is that this kit might be the precursor HGBD: R kit that will bring the Aegis into the modern HGCE form.
Although yes we here do like the idea of seeing all the other Stolen Gundams in the HGCE form, however, after taking a closer look at this HGBD: R kit, we don’t think that this would be THE KIT that would be the base of what it is to come.
Why? Well, one of the reasons for that is because none of what we see here resembles anything of the Aegis and the only thing here that remotely looked like something the Aegis would have is seen on the portion of the HGBD: R Gundam Aegis Knight’s head unit and even though it does pull off the same-ish gimmick like what we could see with the Aegis but looking at it is akin to seeing a bad Cover Band performing on stage. The pose looked more painful then useful if we were, to be honest.
But this HGBD: R kit unlike the aforementioned Bad Cover Band reference, at the very least, does look quite good and not to mention too that it was as well given a very original look.
Well from our perspective anyways.
The reason for that is because nothing that we see here looked like anything that we here have seen before and known about. Yes even though alot of the parts looked familiar but somehow rather we can’t really pinpoint accurately on what parts here and there that was taken to be used to create this HGBD: R kit.
Not to mention too that the modifications that was done on the parts as well made our job of identifying the parts harder. But admittedly, even though we do have a hard time, we cannot deny that we do like what we see here. The designers of this kit REALLY did a damn good job in designing this HGBD: R Gundam Aegis Knight.
We here as well love the transformation mode of the HGBD: R Gundam Aegis Knight. Why wouldn’t we be? Because the designers really managed to create one of the best looking MS Flight modes that we’ve seen in any of the other MS’s to date. Not to mention too we love the design of the cockpit bit on this kits Flight mode.
Although the same cannot be said for the kits ‘Aegis’ MA mode……
Regardless, this is a kit that we here are quite interested in getting. But like we mentioned earlier, even though it might have the Gundam Aegis name, but we do not think that this would be the base for the future HGCE Aegis Gundam. Just sayin’
With that concludes today’s 176th edition of our Let’s Talk Gunpla segment! What do you think of these Retail Gunpla release announcements? Are you looking forward to these Retail Gunpla releases? It’s nice to see the retail side announcing very good looking HGUC kits, HGBD: R and SD kits for this coming July release. Although to be really honest, we are more concerned about the lack of new news on a new MG kit.
Even though yes, we will be seeing the MG Kyrios coming soon, however, we are really hoping to see a new UC centric MG kit announced for the upcoming mid-year gunpla release announcement made sometime soon. We do hope if they do have something planned, hopefully that new MG announcement is from the upcoming Hathaway Flash movie. Because it would be nice to see them recreating the Penelope in MG form.
We will definitely continue talking about the other retail releases on this coming Friday segment, where we will finish off this week’s retail segment by talking about all the other smaller supporting Gunpla releases that was made for the HGBD: R kits. So do look forward to that! 😀
Anyways, we will be back again with more Let’s Talk Gunpla segment this coming Friday! Kimi as well will be back again this Monday with a new Unboxing or a Review or a WIP blog post. So do look forward to that!
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We hope by sharing our love and passion for gunplas here, it’ll inspire you to pick up the hobby or reignite your love for gunpla!
Anyways, we shall see all of you again on Friday, and we hope that you all have an awesome day and week ahead! Oh as well please do have an awesome Gunpla building time there as well and until next time!
Ciao!
Kimi The Builder 